Tooth-spreader.



PATENTED MAY 1, 1906.

J. E. HERMAN. TOOTH SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED mum. 190s.

Inventor,

Attorneys.

JOHN E. HERMAN, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO.

TOOTH-SPREADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

bratented May 1, 1906.

Application filed July 24,1905. Serial N0. 271,062.

To a lF/LOIIL it may calmer/1 Be it known that 1, Jon E. HERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sandusky, in the county of Erie and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Tooth- Spreader, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tooth-Spreaders.

The object of the invention is to provide a tooth-spreader which may readily be applied to position, which shall be easy of manipulation, and which shall in a positive manner secure the objects sought.

"ith the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a tooth-spreinler, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure l is a view in perspective of the implement. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section.

The implement embodies a pair of resilient longitudinally-tapered tooth-spreading members 1 and 2, a flexing element 3, and an adjustingscrew 4, combined for rotation with the flexing element. The spreading members are combined with a head 5 and are preferably integral therewith and, as shown in Fig. 2, are bowed or flexed normally in opposite directions, thus to present a narrow entering-point, which will adapt the implement readily to be inserted between teeth that are close together.

The flexing element 3 is wedge-shaped in long section and is tapered to a sharp point which is adapted to project between the op posed sides of the spreading members, and thus etfect their positive flexing when the adjusting-screw is moved in the appropriate direction.

The adjusting screw has its inner end threaded and seated in a threaded socket 6 in the flexing element, and is held for rotation therein and from disconnection from the head 5 by a pin 7, that engages a peripheral groove 8 in the screw, the pin being carried by a boss or teat 9 on the head. The outer end of the screw carries a knurled head 10, by which .it may be operated.

In the use of the implement the flexing element is adjusted to move its point out of contact with the spreading members, and these are then inserted between the two teeth to be spread, after which the adj usting-screw is actuated to force the flexing element be tween the spreading members, and thus cause them to engage with the surfaces of the teeth and spread them.

The implement is exceedingly simple of construction and will therefore not be liable to become deranged from use, and in case of damage repairs may be readily and quickly effected.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A tooth-sprezuler embodying a pair of longitudinally-tapered resilient spreading members, a wedge-shaped flexin element, and means for reciprocating the flexing element.

2. A tooth-spreader embodying a head, a pair of longitudinally-tapered resilient spreading members carried thereby, a wedgeshaped flexing element disposed between the members, and an adjusting-screw carried by the head and engaging a threaded socket in the flexing element, and means for holding the screw against cndwise movement relatively to the head.

3. A tooth-sprmuler embodying a head carrying a pair of resilient spreading members, a wedge-shaped flexing element disposed between the members, an adjustingscrew seated at one end in the flexing element and provided with a circumferential groove, and a pin carried by the head and engaging the groove.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afl'ixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. lIlERMAN.

WVit-nesses:

H. S. ROGERS, WILLIAM L. FRISINGER. 

